A Realistic Guide to Oral Health in College

There’s something about the excitement of starting college that can cause good, lifetime habits to come crashing down. You’re now in control of your routine in a way that you haven’t been before. We know college is a time to make mistakes, learn from them, and figure out who you want to be as a person. That being said, there are some mistakes we’d love to help you avoid; namely, letting your oral health fall apart freshman year. Chances are, your parents have tried to help you build healthy habits, including eating well, getting enough sleep, and maintaining your personal hygiene. But when your schedule changes and late nights studying or going out with friends become normal, it's easy to let things like brushing your teeth or flossing before bed fall by the wayside. Let’s talk about how to keep your teeth strong, bright, and cavity‑free while you tackle life on campus.

Add a Slate Flosser to Your Packing List

Why College Life Is a Challenge for Your Teeth

• Junk food and refined carbs are sneakier than sugar. White bread, chips, cereals, flavored yogurts, and even smoothies all break down into sugar in your mouth. That sugar feeds the bacteria that produce enamel-eroding acids, putting your teeth at risk.
  

• Frequent snacking keeps your enamel under attack. It’s common to snack late into the night while working on a paper or project, but consistent snacking isn’t great for your teeth. “When sugars or starches in your mouth come in contact with plaque, acids form. These acids can attack your teeth after you finish eating.” Constant grazing means more time for the acids in your mouth to attack your teeth and less time for the pH balance in your mouth to recover between meals.
  

• Acidic and sugary drinks are double trouble. They soften enamel and increase cavity risk. Not only that, but the longer you’re sipping on a soda or energy drink, the longer those acids are sitting on your teeth and eating away at your enamel. If you need the extra caffeinated boost, try to finish your drink in less than 30 minutes and rinse your mouth with water after.
  

• Busy schedules often knock daily brushing and flossing off track. Skipping dental care on hectic mornings or after a night out adds up fast. Plaque builds up and turns to tartar, which then needs to be removed by a dental professional.
  

Smart Habits That Save Your Smile

1. Brush Twice a Day with Fluoride or Nano‑Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
   

• You know that you should be brushing your teeth. We’re pretty confident that your parents have been reminding you often over the last 18 years. Now it’s time to really own that habit. You only get one set of teeth. So, being careless about simple oral care isn’t a good move. Brushing thoroughly twice a day with fluoride or nano‑hydroxyapatite (a common fluoride substitute) toothpaste helps remove plaque and strengthen your enamel. It’s baseline care that you can’t ignore.
  

2. Figure Out a Way to Actually Floss Daily
   

• If you’re not flossing, you’ll probably end up getting cavities filled over Thanksgiving break. There are so many places in your mouth that your toothbrush simply can’t reach. YOU HAVE TO FLOSS in order to remove that plaque and bacteria. If you’re eating a lot of refined sugars, the likelihood that you have gummy bears or popcorn stuck between your teeth is even higher.
  

• If traditional floss feels tedious (trust me, many agree!), stick some floss picks in your backpack or consider more user‑friendly tools like the Slate Electric Flosser. Our design includes gentle gum‑sweeping tech and even a built‑in tongue scraper for fresher breath and cleaner gums.
  

3. Take a Break After Lunch
   

• Some dental pros recommend avoiding food for two hours after lunch. This gives your saliva time to naturally remineralize your enamel and neutralize acids. Even if you can't go the full two hours, sipping water or chewing xylitol gum after meals can help boost saliva production and rinse away acids and sugars.
  

4. Choose Better Snacks
   

• Swap chips and crackers for crunchy fruits and veggies whenever possible. Foods like apples, carrots, and celery actually help clean your teeth and promote saliva flow. If you really want that bag of chips, try eating it first and ending with an apple so you can still reap some of the benefits.
  

• Add tooth‑friendly dairy snacks like cheese or plain yogurt into your routine. The calcium and phosphorus support remineralization, and they’re more satisfying, so you’re likely to snack less.
  

• If you desperately need some extra sugar, try adding your sweets to mealtimes rather than eating them as a snack. Then your teeth can still get the recovery time they need between meals.
  

5. See a Dentist Twice a Year
   

• Regular check‑ups and cleanings are key, and they don’t stop just because you’ve moved out. Regular dental cleanings catch problems early and keep tartar from building up.
  

• No insurance? Many dental schools or community clinics offer low-cost services—some student dental hygienists even provide cleanings and fluoride treatments under supervision for much less than private clinics.
  

6. Stick to a Routine That Feels Right for You
   

• Building a new routine can take time. Your environment and schedule may be different, but prioritizing your oral health is part of becoming a responsible adult. That means doing what you can to make healthy habits automatic. Keep your flosser or toothbrush visible on your bathroom counter and set reminders until brushing and flossing become as second nature as checking social feed.
  

• Try “habit stacking”: floss right after brushing, or brush your teeth right after getting into your pajamas. Pair the habit with something you already do

7. Upgrade to the Slate Electric Flosser
   

• If you struggle to floss, upgrading to a fun new gadget might be just what you need to build a new habit this school year. The Slate Flosser is a dentist-invented, user-friendly electric flosser designed to simplify and elevate your daily routine.

• • • Patent-Pending Gum Sweeps help clean along the gumline while gently stimulating blood flow.

    • Chemical-Free Woven Floss means no PTFE or wax coatings — just a safe, effective clean

    • Multi-Use Floss Heads last for a full week, reducing waste and effort

    • Up to 14,000 Sonic Vibrations Per Minute remove plaque from tight spaces

    • Built-In Tongue Scraper helps round out your routine and combat bad breath

College is a time of exploration and growth, and your smile deserves to join in the fun, not fall behind. A few simple habits like choosing better snacks, daily brushing and flossing (especially with tools that make it easier), and keeping up with dental visits go a long way. With a little planning, your teeth can stay bright and strong through graduation day. 

Buy a Slate Flosser & Finally Build a Flossing Habit